SAE Los Angeles Graduate Begins Las Vegas DJ Residency

Los Angeles, CA

18 Dec 2014

18

Dec

SAE Los Angeles Graduate Begins Las Vegas DJ Residency

18 Dec 2014

SAE Institute Audio Technology Program graduate Autumn Leilani has begun a DJ residency at the Level 107 Lounge in Las Vegas’ Stratosphere Hotel. Leilani will perform up to five nights per week at Level 107, which was named “Best Place to View the City” by the 2014 Las Vegas Review-Journal Readers' Poll.

"I'm extremely excited about breaking into the Las Vegas scene," says Leilani, who's had a variety of residencies at top club venues throughout Los Angeles and San Diego. "Level 107 is a fantastic room, and I'm looking forward to sharing my unique sound, energy, and mixing style with Vegas party crowds."

A native of the San Diego area, Leilani has a musical family: her grandfather on her mother's side was a vaudeville singer and multi-instrumental musician and her grandmother was a dancer. Growing up, Leilani had 12 hours of music and dancing lessons each week. She played the piano, sang, and performed/competed as a ballet, jazz, and tap dancer.

While attending El Capitan High School in Lakeside, CA, Leilani joined local bands as a vocalist and developed her songwriting skills. After growing frustrated with the lack of commitment from her fellow band members, she became fascinated with the Southern California underground rave and house scene. Having found her artistic calling, she decided in 2011 to pursue a career as a DJ and producer.

"I went in circles trying to figure out which college's audio technology program I wanted to attend so I could properly learn my craft," says Leilani. "After researching all of the options in Los Angeles, I chose SAE because they offered more hands on learning and one-on-one attention than any other school that I looked into."

Leilani found SAE's curriculum to be challenging, but she realized that in order for her to succeed in the school's Audio Technology Program, she needed to fully understanding the technical as well as the artistic side of music.

"Each of my teachers and supervisors truly cared about my success," says Leilani. "I would stay at the school until 2am most nights to work in SAE's excellent studios and get guidance from the faculty, who graciously offered their vast knowledge to those of us who worked hard. You can tell that they all have a real love for this business."

Since graduating from SAE in 2013, Leilani has produced her own house music tracks as well as recorded/produced for other artists. Her most recent studio project, Planet Mischief, incorporates live instrumentation along with programmed synths and drums.

The majority of Leilani's professional time is taken up with her busy DJ schedule. Her list of corporate clients includes Pioneer, Slate Digital, the 2014 Hard Festival, L.A. Fashion week, LA Weekly, "So You Think You Can Dance", "American Idol", Adidas, and many more.

"Because of my SAE schooling, I can troubleshoot any situation, play on any type of DJ system, and make any room sound great," says Leilani, who lives in Los Angeles. "Having a full understanding of audio science is a powerful thing, and it gives me an advantage over other DJs."

Leilani's advice for SAE students and grads who would like to pursue careers as a DJ/producer is simple: follow a schedule and stay positive.

"It's easy to fall off track when you work for yourself, so keeping your calendar accurate and complete is essential," says Leilani. "Along with work, it's also important to keep your website up to date and your social media presence active. Also, when things get bumpy with your career, keep your head up and maintain a good attitude. Be happy for those around you who are succeeding always remember that your hard work will pay off."